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Valued for their fragrant pink flowers and airy foliage, mimosas or silk trees (Albizia julibrissin) are a subtropical species of deciduous tree widely grown throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. They produce an abundance of long, pealike seed pods year-round, which may be harvested in autumn and used to propagate new trees. Mimosa seeds germinate quickly in warm conditions and will put on approximately 36 inches of growth each year. However, the hulls of the seeds are very hard and must be processed before sowing to ensure successful germination.

Warning

Mimosas attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to the landscape, but in some regions, they're considered to be extremely invasive and difficult to eradicate once established. Before you plant mimosas in your yard, contact your local county extension office to find out if they're invasive in your area.

Gather the Pods

Gather mimosa tree pods in autumn after the pods darken and dry out. Snip the ends off with heavy shears. Pry open the pods and shake out the flat, dark-brown seeds.

Store the Seeds

Put the mimosa seeds in a paper or cloth bag and store them until spring in a cool, dry location. Avoid using a plastic bag as it will trap moisture and cause the seeds to rot.

Prep the Seeds

Prepare the mimosa seeds for sowing after the last spring frost. Rub the end of each seed with a nail file until a small, pale spot appears on the hull. Then soak the seeds in hot water for 24 hours before sowing.

Sow the Seeds

Fill individual 5-inch biodegradable pots with a lightly moistened mixture of half sand and half loam. Sow one seed in each pot at a 1-inch depth. Spread a 1/4-inch-thick layer of sand over the soil.

Move the Pots Outside

Set the pots outdoors against a south- or west-facing wall with full sun. Provide 75 F bottom heat with a propagation mat if the weather is cool and light shade at midday if daytime temperatures rise above 90 F.

Monitor the Moisture

Carefully monitor the moisture level of the soil. Water to a 2-inch depth whenever the top 1/2 inch of soil dries out. Avoid overwatering or letting the soil dry out completely, which will cause the mimosa seeds to fail.

Watch for Germination

Watch for germination one to three weeks after sowing. Grow the seedlings under the same conditions as during germination until they reach 3 inches in height and produce several mature leaves.

Transplant the Trees

Transplant the mimosa trees into a permanent bed in autumn at least six weeks before the first frost. Choose a planting site with full sun at least 20 feet away from structures, utility lines and other trees. Plant multiple mimosa trees approximately 20 feet apart.

Things You Will Need

Shears

Paper bag

Nail file

5-inch biodegradable pots

Sand

Loam

Propagation mat

Tip

Mimosas thrive in a variety of soil types and textures and may be found growing along roadsides or in abandoned fields in poor to average soils in full sun, although they can tolerate partial shade. Until the trees are well-established in your landscape, apply water when the top couple of inches of soil are dry to the touch; reduce water in winter. Suppress weeds by applying approximately 3 inches of organic mulch evenly out to the tips of the branches, but don't allow the mulch to touch the base of the tree. Withhold fertilizer for the first two to three years and then have the soil tested to determine if fertilizer is necessary.